A young man has been shot dead in a renewed outbreak of violence on a Padma River char located at the junction of Lalpur in Natore, Bagha in Rajshahi, and Bheramara in Kushtia. The body of the victim, identified as Azizul Haque, 35, was recovered on Tuesday afternoon from a floating speedboat in the Charjajira area under Lalpur Police Station.
Police recovered the body at approximately 3:30 pm after local residents reported seeing a speedboat drifting on the river with a motionless person inside. Authorities later confirmed that the victim had sustained gunshot injuries.
The deceased, also known by the nickname “Jhar”, was the son of Abdul Sheikh and Hasina Begum of Pabnapara village in Bagatipara Upazila of Natore. According to local sources, he was a member of the widely discussed “Kakon Bahini” group based in Kushtia.
The latest incident adds to a series of violent clashes that have taken place in the char areas over territorial influence. Local sources stated that at least five people have been killed in separate conflicts linked to rival groups in the area since October last year.
Key Facts of the Incident
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Victim | Azizul Haque (Jhar) |
| Age | 35 |
| Residence | Pabnapara Village, Bagatipara, Natore |
| Date of Recovery | Tuesday |
| Recovery Time | Approximately 3:30 pm |
| Location | Charjajira area, Padma River, Lalpur |
| Cause of Death | Gunshot injuries |
| Alleged Trigger | Conflict over control of a sand extraction area |
| Investigating Agencies | Lalpur Police and Lakshmikunda River Police |
According to Lalpur Police Station sources, residents first noticed a blue-and-green speedboat floating in the Padma River during the afternoon. The vessel, which had a red canopy, contained the body of a young man with visible gunshot wounds. Following reports from local people, officers from Lalpur Police Station and Lakshmikunda River Police arrived at the scene and recovered the body.
After preparing an inquest report, police sent the body to the morgue of Natore Sadar Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Earlier in the day, officers from Lalpur Police Station, Bagha Police Station and Lakshmikunda River Police visited the char area situated at the meeting point of the three districts. Local residents told investigators that gunfire had erupted at dawn between supporters of Belal and Kakon over control of a sand extraction site on the river char. They alleged that Azizul Haque was killed during that exchange of gunfire.
Lalpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shafiqul Islam said that determining jurisdiction has been complicated because the incident occurred at the intersection of three upazilas across three districts. However, since the body was recovered from a floating speedboat on the Padma River, Lakshmikunda River Police will conduct the primary investigation. He added that the case will be registered with Lalpur Police Station.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding suspects or possible arrests. The investigation remains ongoing, and police are expected to rely on witness statements, forensic evidence and the post-mortem report to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing.